Category Archives: Interviews

Art, Debutant Creatives, Documentary, Emerging Creatives, Entertainment News, EVENTS, Film, Global News, Interviews, Music, THE DEBUTANT

Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2025 is now underway!

July 31, 2025 Rara Avis Leave a comment

#DareToDiscover your next favourite show – Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Today marks the official start of the 2025 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, which will run until Monday 25 August.

This August will feature 54,474 performances from 3,853 shows* (3,352 within the printed programme). Since programme launch on 03 June, 501 more shows have registered and are now searchable on edfringe.com and in the official Fringe app. Artists from 63 countries will be represented on the Fringe’s stages, with 1,118 shows from Scotland and 829 from Edinburgh itself.

The Fringe vision is to give anyone a stage and everyone a seat, and that includes keeping the Fringe affordable. This year’s average ticket price is just over £13, ensuring Fringe audiences can experience a variety of work at an accessible cost.

The Fringe Street Events programme began this morning and will run from 11:00 every day until 24 August, with world-class performers taking to the Royal Mile and Mound all day, offering something for everyone. This year the Fringe also welcomes the return of ‘Innis & Gunn on the Mound’, with the famed Scottish brewery hosting a vibrant food and drink village amidst the street events action on the Mound.

The Fringe Society supports artists by facilitating a range of services: so far this year the Media Office has accredited over 900 reviewers, editors, journalists and broadcasters from 30 countries, who will be instrumental in boosting artists’ profile. In addition, to date, some 1,400 arts industry professionals from 58 countries have accredited, and will be on the lookout for shows at the Fringe to offer onward touring or TV and film adaptation opportunities. Fringe Central is also fully open to support all artists performing at the Fringe this summer, with a programme of events tailored to help performers at any stage of their career, and free mental health support for artists returns in partnership with Health in Mind.

Tony Lankester, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: ‘This is my first Fringe as the Fringe Society’s Chief Executive, so this is an incredibly exciting moment – I’ve attended the Edinburgh Fringe before, but never in such a front-row seat!

It’s taken a lot of people a lot of work to get us to this moment, so I’d like to thank everyone who has a hand in making it happen. That includes the venues around the city; the local businesses, stakeholders and officials; the wonderfully warm and welcoming people of Edinburgh; the members of the media and the arts industry who make this festival such an important part of the calendar for participating artists; and of course the indefatigable and undefeatable artists themselves, without whom there wouldn’t be a Fringe at all. We’re so grateful that you’ve chosen to be here this year, and I encourage any and all prospective audience members to go out, enjoy the festival and dare to discover the amazing work on offer.’

New shows added since programme launch (03 June)

Below is a small representative sample of shows that have registered since programme launch on 03 June. The full list of shows at this year’s festival can be found at edfringe.com.

At Saint Stephen’s Theatre, director Peter Schaufuss presents Romeo & Juliet, ‘celebrating the anniversary of Sir Frederick Ashton’s Olivier Award-nominated choreographic masterpiece in a unique Shakespearian candlelight performance setting’. Jéssica Teixeira presents Monga at Assembly, crafting ‘a mosaic out of philosophical reflection, infectious songs, radical performance art and humour’. At Traverse, Lucky Tonight! is ‘an interactive pub quiz-cum-theatre show’ in which ‘quizmaster extraordinaire (and former contestant of The Chase) Afreena will put you through your paces to help tell her story’. ‘Through movement, hand-knitted costume and visual metaphor, Weaving Me, Weaving Mum (C Arts) tells an intimate story of female growth, trauma and reconciliation, drawn from the director’s personal experience across generations’. Ants and Other Strong Things (theSpaceUK) is ‘a gripping queer sci-fi romance thriller set thirty years in the future, in a high-surveillance state waging war against the LGBTQIA+ community’. And at WU, GENDAI is ‘a Japanese laser show combining custom-made paper costumes, expressive body performance and original music featuring traditional Japanese instruments’.

Sanctum of Shadows at Leith Arches is ‘an immersive physical theatre performance that invites the audience into the final hour before a girl’s death’. In The End is Near at St James Church Leith, ‘three women from three different centuries find each other at their worst hour. Janet is accused of witchcraft in 1661 Edinburgh, Caroline is an arrested suffragette in 1911 London and Lauren is fighting for her reproductive freedom in 2028, in America.’ Beggared at The Bowlers Rest ‘tells the story of a privileged white South African whose life collapses into homelessness… [and] finds refuge in a township where the spirit of Ubuntu – a philosophy of shared humanity – challenges his racist indoctrination’. And Riot Reveals Cabaret promises ‘burlesque, comedy, magic, drag and live music all under one roof at the iconic Leith Depot’.

At Deaf Action, ‘Deaffy Drag Queenies Mary and Danielle bring outrageous fun, cheeky charm and deaf queer pride to the stage using BSL and Gay Sign Variant (GSV)’ in Deaffy Drag Queeny: Glitter, Gags and GSV. Harmony’s Heavenly Show – The Fun and Fabulous Drag Variety Show at Just the Tonic ‘blends singalongs, original songs, musical theatre, opera and heartfelt storytelling – with the “true” story of two drag queens as they belt, banter and bare their soul in a glitter-drenched journey for your entertainment’.

The entire Edinburgh International Film Festival programme is now live on edfringe.com and in the EdFringe app – among the screenings is EIFF: Deaf / Bumblebee(Filmhouse), a double-bill exploring themes of parenthood and disability.

‘Linus Karp and Joseph Martin, the duo behind The Fit Prince, Gwyneth Goes Skiing and Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story are getting gay married’ onstage in Awkward Prods Get Married (But For Real) at Pleasance. Abby Govindan explains How to Embarrass Your Immigrant Parents at Monkey Barrel Comedy, offering ‘an hour of hilarious storytelling that explores a pertinent universal theme: wanting to understand your parents but struggling to see eye-to-eye’. In Bed With… Harriet Kemsley (Hotel Indigo, York Place) ‘is a bold, close-up and relaxed comedy experience from one of Britain’s rising comedic stars’. Nicola and Rosie Dempsey (better known as Flo & Joan) bring The Birds, The Birds! (WIP) to Shedinburgh, in which ‘the Old Woman Who Lives in a Shoe finally sits down to write a rebuttal to the person who penned the poem that made her famous’. And ‘Shuang Teng and Rabiah Coon team up for a hilarious split bill show that dives into the awkward, surprising and sometimes absurd realities of life in the UK’ in Asian American Cultural Confusion at Laughing Horse.

Joy of Spines is a spoken word performance that ‘not only reveals the broad and deep collecting practices of the National Library of Scotland, but also tells the story of who we are as a species’. Panmure House hosts two debates on AI as part of its Panmure House Debates 2025: AI and Education and AI and the Workplace. And poetitian Lucy Aphramor serves up ‘a fiery fusion of wordsmithery, trans joy, compassion and queer nutrition science’ in Taking the Biscuit Back at PBH’s Free Fringe.

Samba Sene and Diwan + Makossa (The Famous Spiegeltent) promises ‘a double bill of the best African sounds from Scotland – an evening of exuberant afrobeat, mbalax, ska, reggae dance grooves’. Funk & Order: Cop Show Hits (The Jazz Bar) is ‘performed by Edinburgh’s finest, laying down the law with unmatched precision, tight grooves and a rhythm section that’s always one step ahead of the bad guys’. And as part of the Welcome to the Fringe Palestine series, the Arab a Dub DJ Set at Portobello Town Hall is ‘a journey through the vibrant pulse of Palestinian culture, bringing together traditional dance with cutting-edge underground sounds’.

*edfringe.com listings include shows which may be performing across multiple spaces and also shows which have been cancelled but may appear within the printed Fringe programme.

Documentary, Entertainment News, EVENTS, Film, Global News, Interviews, Music, Spotlight, THE DEBUTANT

DREAMING OF YOU: Celebrating its Sold Out World Premiere at Sheffield Doc Fest Today, New Screenings Added

June 21, 2025 Rara Avis Leave a comment

The story of six working-class Wirral teens that shook the British Indie scene

J6 Films is delighted to share that Dreaming of You: The Making of The Coral will have its sold out World Premiere at Sheffield Doc Fest on 21st June. Due to popular demand, additional screenings have now been added on 22nd June for the definitive documentary on the hit Merseyside band The Coral.

“If you’re going to tell the story of “If you’re going to tell the story of The Coral, then it would be about growing up. An adventure that led to an album.” Nick Power, The Coral

Dreaming of You: The Making of The Coral follows the story of six childhood outsiders from Merseyside as they transform into one of the most influential British guitar bands of the new millennium. Their high-energy blend of psychedelic rock ‘n’ roll revitalising the doldrums of the post-Britpop music scene.

Narrated by the band, the film is an immersive experience that creatively combines reconstruction, archive footage, and animation to capture the early 2000s era through the eyes of six northern teenagers, who together created their own strange, endlessly creative escapist universe. As the friends leave their sleepy seaside hometown of Hoylake in pursuit of musical glory, the spotlight eventually finds them but is it fame they’re after or is it just being together?

With appearances from iconic indie bands The Lightning Seeds, The Zutons and Tramp Attack, Dreaming of You: The Making of The Coral is a dreamscape of friendship, fame and fuzzy guitars. The film commemorates The Coral from their working-class Merseyside roots, through their rise in Liverpool’s Bandwagon Scene, going on to become one of the UK’s most influential bands.

“The First incarnation of the band was a Ghosthunting business” James Skelly, The Coral

For director James Slater, the creative direction for the film was as important as the story itself, speaking on this James said

“I wanted Dreaming of You to be an immersive experience—one that transports us back to Northwest England in the late ’90s and early 2000s. …The visual aesthetic of the film is further enhanced by the formats used to shoot both the GVs and reconstructions—Mini DV, Hi-8, 16mm, and 8mm—all mediums that were used to document the band at the time. This rich visual tapestry is accompanied not only by the band’s musical archive but also by a layered sound design that further immerses us in the era, embedding us deeply within the time and place.”

On celebrating the sold out World Premiere at Sheffield Doc Fest, director James Slater commented “It’s an honour to be part of Sheffield DocFest, especially alongside such an incredible line-up of films. Dreaming of You is a northern coming-of-age story at heart, so it feels especially fitting for the journey to begin here…”.

Screening Details

World Premiere Sat 21 June at 12:30 Showroom

Extended Q&A with director James Slater and the band The Coral.

Screening + Q&A Sun 22 June at 15:45 The Light

Q&A with director James Slater.

Screening Sun 22 June at 16:15 Showroom

Tickets on sale here

About The Coral:

The Coral formed on the Wirral, Merseyside, in the mid-nineties. Emerging from Liverpool’s vibrant late-’90s garage rock scene, they quickly caught the attention of Alan Wills, who, captivated by their eclectic sound, founded DeltaSonic Records around them. Their 2001 debut single, Shadows Fall, earned national recognition, and they were soon hailed as pioneers of a new wave of rock ’n’ roll energy—an antidote to the stagnation of the post-Britpop era.

Their self-titled 2002 debut album, featuring the now-iconic single Dreaming of You, was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize and named the best album of the year by NME. They followed it up with Magic and Medicine (2003), a critical and commercial triumph that topped the UK charts and produced four Top 20 singles, including Pass It On, Bill McCai, and Don’t Think You’re the First.

Over three decades, The Coral have remained one of the UK’s most enduring and consistently inventive bands. They have released eleven studio albums, including The Invisible Invasion (2005), Roots & Echoes(2007), and Coral Island (2021), blending elements of psychedelic folk, Garage folk, with their own unique brand of haunting dreamlike melody. Their influence can be heard in the work of later British indie acts such as Arctic Monkeys and Blossoms, who credit The Coral with shaping their sound.

Still together after 30 years, The Coral continue to evolve while maintaining their blend of melody, storytelling, and experimental edge—securing their place as one of the most distinctive and influential British bands of their generation.

James Slater, Director’s Statement:

In December 2002, my friend Neil showed up at my flat in Toxteth, Liverpool, beaming. Alan Wills, manager of Britain’s hottest new band, The Coral, had called— they wanted us, two broke, DIY music video directors, to shoot their next promo.

The single was Don’t Think You’re The First, a haunting, psychedelic shuffle. The label had planned a £50k video, but the band, skeptical of industry gloss, scrapped it in favour of our lo-fi, Mini-DV approach. We arrived at the shoot with two camcorders strapped to a plank—our makeshift Steadicam.

The Coral were a gang—insular, tight-knit, and uninterested in industry games. But once you were in, you were in. That job changed everything. Within weeks, we were in L.A. filming Pass It On, then in Holland for Bill McCai, always just Neil, me, and a spare pair of hands. Our scruffy, no-tech videos somehow fit perfectly between the polished promos on Sony’s roster.

My filmmaking career started with The Coral, and in many ways, always leads back to them. So when James Skelly approached me to make a film celebrating their debut album, it felt inevitable. I dug out my old Mini-DVtapes, picked up boxes of scrapbooks, and pieced together a story.

Footage of backyard wrestling matches, kung fu films, and Easy Rider remakes (retitled Lazy Rider on the Wirral) revealed a band rooted in friendship—a group of misfits who just wanted to play music together. In interviews, a clear story emerged: they weren’t chasing fame, they were chasing greatness. Rob Stringer, head of Sony, once told me, They could’ve been massive, but they didn’t want it. He was right. They didn’t want to be the biggest—just the best.

Even today, artists seek me out because of my work with The Coral. They’re one of the most influential British guitar bands of the new millennium, and I hope this film shines a light on a group that deserves far more recognition.

About J6 Films:

J6 Films is a production company and a collective of critically acclaimed directors.

Director: James Slater

Featuring: The Coral: James Skelly, Paul Duffy, Nick Power, Ian Skelly, Paul Molloy,

Past members: Bill Ryder-Jones, Lee Southall and Alan Wills, Rob Stringer (Sony), Ian Broudie (The Lightning Seeds), Dave McCabe (The Zutons), Supergrass, Oasis

Run Time: 80 mins

Cert: TBC

Visit Website

Entertainment News, Film, Global News, Interviews, THE DEBUTANT

World Of Wonders Events Schedule at Sheffield DocFest

June 17, 2025 Rara Avis Leave a comment

If you are attending the Sheffield Documentary Festival, one series you shouldn’t miss out on is the World of Wonder events!

It is sure to make you say wow with the incredible lineup of documentaries and conversations that they have curated specially for lovers of documentaries.

Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato invite you to come be inspired and entertained!

In their own words:

Thursday, 19 June
In From the WOW Werq Room, we share some sizzles and pitches and talk about the challenges of getting projects greenlit. It never gets easier – and we’ll discuss finding alternative ways forward.

In the afternoon, Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Ronan Farrow joins us to talk about his projects and our work together turning podcasts into series.

The screening of Strange Journey marks the UK premiere of a fantastic documentary about the phenomenon of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, directed by Linus O’Brien. Without Rocky Horror, would there be Drag Race? This show has had an enormous influence on us, and we are thrilled to be Executive Producers.

Friday, 20 June
We are excited to present a world first: a sneak peek of Part One of Murder in Glitterball City, a gothic true crime documentary, followed by The World of Wonder Ball – featuring an open bar and queens from RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in the house.

Saturday, 21 June
It’s an extraordinary honor to be in conversation with Dawn Airey, the founder of Five and a blazing, give-no-Fs pioneer of British media.
Strong women have always inspired us, and so in addition to discussing The Eyes of Tammy Faye, Britney Spears, and Drag Race, we’ll talk about how we hope to navigate the future with WOWPresents Plus.
Our own strange journey began with a homemade public access TV show in New York. That led to The Adam and Joe Show, and it’s incredible to reunite with them for An Evening with Adam and Joe.

Sunday, 22 June
Inside Deep Throat is an account of the seminal adult film that broke all box office records in the 1970s. It’s a rare treat to screen this documentary feature we directed and, we hope, a happy ending to our time together in Sheffield.

Entertainment News, Interviews, Music, THE DEBUTANT

Rara Avis With Blinkz Baba: The Pro Performer.

February 25, 2025 Rara Avis Leave a comment

Darlington Alas Asaba, whose stage name is Blinkz Baba, is a multihyphenate creative as is expected of any creative affiliated with Rara Avis. Blinkz is a singer, songwriter, event planner, hype mc, and DJ. He is an astonishingly talented singer and songwriter. One of his songs which stands out and is easily recognizable is his hit song ”Omotena“!

This culturally infused track, with its captivating rhythm, melody, and lyrics, is guaranteed to get you moving! Its heartfelt tribute to an anonymous female figure resonates with women of all kinds. Celebrating the strength and beauty of womanhood, this song makes a perfect dedication from any man to his special someone – no need to change a single name in the lyrics
Rara Avis on Blinkz ”Omotena”

Blinkz has been an integral part of Rara Avis, right from the inception. He doesn’t quite fit into the debutant profile, -though he’s a fast emerging artist- because he has had some performance opportunities prior to signing up.

He is a full powerhouse… Rara Avis’ Golden Creative! Yes! He is usually the last artist to perform because just like in a relay, you want to save the best for last to make up for lapses from other team members.

Blinkz never disappoints with his performances. He always gets a standing ovation at hugely packed events. He was part of our entourage to SMA Nigeria. see link

Last year, Blinkz made it to the finals of a music themed reality TV competition ”Naija Star Search” organized by Startimes with the support of Trace Naija: Trace Naija‘s parent company is Trace Africa .

Blinkz Baba performed on season 2 of Naija Star Search on ST Nollywood Plus on Saturdays at 8 PM.

INTERVIEW

Here Rara Avis talks to Blinkz Baba about his experiences prior to and post competition:

Pre-Competition Experience

Rara Avis : What motivated you to sign up for the Naija Star search competition?

Blinkz Baba : I was motivated because i am a talented singer and i knew i have what it takes to compete.

Rara Avis : Can you share your musical background and experiences before entering the competition?

Blinkz Baba : Before entering the competition i was already doing music professionally : I had put out a body of work and was going out for gigs.

Rara Avis : What were your expectations from the competition, and did you have any prior experience with music competitions?

Blinkz Baba : My expectations while in competition was to gain new knowledge, better approach to live performance and also to emerge as the winner.

Competition Experience

Rara Avis : How would you describe your experience as a contestant on the show?

Blinkz Baba : It was a bit tough having to meet different personalities and to have to work as a group to perform a song … but in the end , it made me even better.

Rara Avis : What were some of the most challenging moments for you during the competition?

Blinkz Baba : Some of the most challenging moments in the competition was have to nominate my fellow contestant for eviction and also getting to do unfamiliar songs and having just a day to score it … and perform same day.

Rara Avis : How did you handle the pressure and stress of performing live and being judged?

Blinkz Baba : It wasn’t as much pressure for me because I was already used to performing in front for thousands of people.

Career Impact

Rara Avis : How has being a finalist on the competition impacted your music career?

Blinkz Baba : Becoming a finalist has helped me in gaining more attention and connection. It was a career boost for my music…price went up.

Rara Avis : Have you seen an increase in fan engagement, bookings, or collaborations since the show?

Blinkz Baba : Yes, absolutely, especially in terms of booking

Rara Avis : Can you share any notable opportunities or achievements that have arisen as a result of your participation?

Blinkz Baba : As result of my participation, I have worked with Trace TV on several occasions. I had a meeting with the popularly known singer, Oxlade, I am working on a distribution opportunity with Nigerian hiphop first lady her self, Sasha P, I also got special branding tips from Vector and international producer Cobahms .

Lessons Learned

Rara Avis : What were some of the most valuable lessons you learned from your experience on the show?

Blinkz Baba : I learnt to put in creativity during my stage performances. I learnt music writing.

Rara Avis : How did the competition help you grow as an artist, and what skills did you develop?

Blinkz Baba : It helped grow my confidence, how to handle a microphone properly and to always leverage on being on camera at all times.

Rara Avis : Are there any specific feedback or critiques from the judges that have stuck with you and influenced your music?

Blinkz Baba : Yes the judges told me to also use my vocal strength, and they see me rocking Jazz festivals around the world.

Yes the judges told me to also use my vocal strength, and they see me rocking Jazz festivals around the world.
Blinkz on Judges’ remarks

Personal Growth

Rara Avis : How did the competition affect you personally, and what did you learn about yourself?

Blinkz Baba : I learnt and discovered that I could actually sing better than I thought I could because the competition allowed me to push myself to the limit and discover my potential.

Rara Avis : Were there any moments of self-doubt or uncertainty, and how did you overcome them?

Blinkz Baba : I was in a competition with so many talented singers and sometimes when I hear them sing,I have that fright … but in all, I remained confident of myself and delivered.

Rara Avis : How has your experience on the show shaped your perspective on success and perseverance?

Blinkz Baba : My participation in the show has helped me believe in my creativity, in music and i see success closer than I ever did before!

Future Plans

Rara Avis : What’s next for you musically, and are you working on any new projects?

Blinkz Baba : I just dropped a new song titled Cold available on all platforms. I am also in the process of putting out my first EP soon where I will be collaborating with some talented creatives like myself.

Rara Avis : How do you plan to leverage your experience and exposure from the competition to further your career?

Blinkz Baba : With the experience I have gotten from the competition I plan to use all what I have learnt and put it in my music … and of course collaborate.

Rara Avis : Are there any specific goals or milestones you’re aiming to achieve in the next year or two?

Blinkz Baba : Yes. In the next two years my prediction is for my music to have gone global and get that full attention it deserves.

Reflection on Rara Avis

Rara Avis :Did Rara Avis have any impact on your career prior to going on Naija Star Search?

Blinkz Baba : Rara Avis has always been the backbone to my experience in stage performances and branding.

Rara Avis : What do you think that Rara Avis should do to help prepare artists who want to go on competitions such as Naija Star Search?

Blinkz Baba : I think Rara Avis should keep doing what its already doing … that is training creatives, take them for performance tour and also encourage artist to better their craft.

Rara Avis : ⁠Would you recommend Rara Avis to emerging artists? Why?

Blinkz Baba : One simple reason is because Rara Avis is part of my music success today. One thing I know is that with Rara Avis your growth is certain!

One simple reason is because Rara Avis is part of my music success today. One thing I know is that with Rara Avis your growth is certain!
Blinkz on Rara Avis

As a multihyphenate creative, you have to keep pushing like Blinkz is. He is a phenomenal artist and a powerhouse on stage. However, there’s still a lot to be accomplished because he hasn’t even tapped into a quarter of his talents!

Watch some of Blinkz‘s performances at Naija Star Search.

OrIGINAL vIDEO

Blinkz intro NSS2

sTARTIMES fACEBOOK on NSS2 FINALE

BlinkZ pERFORMANCE ON nAIJA STAR search

Naija Star search blinkz performance video

Tiktok Perfomance Naija Star Search

Links to music : https://audiomack.com/blinkzbabyy/song/original?share-user-id=29594951

To book him for shows or as a songwriter contact

Entertainment News, Interviews, Music, Rara Avis Insider, Spotlight, THE DEBUTANT

Oba Lurge

February 23, 2025 Rara Avis Leave a comment

Rapper, Oba Lurge speaks with Rara Avis

We had a conversation with Oba Lurge, one of Nigeria’s foremost consistent rappers, who has participated in a plethora of creative adventures, from winning rap battles and creative competitions, to establishing a string of creative businesses: St. Anthony -a clothing brand and Equip Your Studio -platform that sells equipment to Cinematographers and others; to representing and funding himself as an independent artist, as a result to him having a rich and enviable music catalogue, which boasts of featuring the best in the game : emerging and established artists; to pioneering a creative business centered podcast “4DACulture” , and more. The list is literarily inexhaustible! Oba Lurge often makes you wonder what the next creative venture he has up his sleeves!

Model

St. Anthony

Oba Lurge

At The Plug PR event

Our aim, in this Rara Avis specially curated interview, is targeted towards helping emerging artists have insight to the entertainment industry through Oba Lurge’s lenses: to understand what drives him, share in his experiences in the industry, get advice for positioning and use his story as inspiration to continue to create, regardless of circumstance.

INTERVIEW

Rara Avis : What sparked your passion for music, and how did you get started in the industry?

Oba Lurge : I ask myself this question a lot and I never seem to find an answer. I remember long before I clocked 6… if you’d remember all those cassette players they always had a red or a black button you could press to start recording?.. Yea, I messed with a lot of my parents cassettes rapping bullshit lol. Then sometime in the early 2000s, my elder brother introduced me to American rapper Fredro Starr and his music touched me in a way nothing else did. Fast forward a few years later, my elder brother was making music and I think that robbed off on me even after he stopped. And just 3 years ago, I found out my great grand father “Ojua Ojupan” made music! I think it’s in the family ’cause I see some of my nephews rapping already. I even have a song with one of them, Bryan on my 2021 project Sorry For The Wait.

Rara Avis : Who were your earliest influences, and how did they shape your sound?

Oba Lurge : Funny enough my earliest influences were the likes of Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Jim Reeves and Fela ’cause my mom was a huge fan of their music… then much later Fredro Starr, Uncle Snoop, Nas, Pac and Hov. I think they shaped my sound in a way that I always have to make sense when I write my lyrics unlike what we hear all over the place lately.

Rara Avis : Can you walk us through your process for crafting a new song or album?

Oba Lurge : I hardly ever write my lyrics before heading to the studio. Most of the time, I just explain to my producers the vibe that’s in my head and let the beat that they make provoke the melody and tell me what to say! Making albums is some of my favorite things to do ’cause I really enjoy telling stories as an art form

Rara Avis : What are some common mistakes you’ve seen emerging artists make, and how can they avoid them?

Oba Lurge : Chasing people. lmao , that never works! Realistically each of these prominent guys already have a tight schedule but they’re constantly looking for the next guy with potentials… you most likely lose that chance constantly being in their face seeking validation. But if you build some real value around yourself you’ll attract them. Also people really think it’s just about making music. it’s not! It’s more about marketing it. We all have people we know that make very good music with no traction and we also know some people with garbage music do very well ’cause their marketing is right.

Realistically each of these prominent guys already have a tight schedule but they’re constantly looking for the next guy with potentials… you most likely lose that chance constantly being in their face seeking validation
Oba Lurge to emerging artists.

People really think it’s just about making music. it’s not! It’s more about marketing it.
Oba Lurge

Rara Avis : Can you share an experience where a connection or mentorship helped advance your career?

Oba Lurge : I’m not going to lie to you all my life in the music business and industry, people have helped me; but this happened ’cause I built genuine connections with them long before they were in position. I hardly ever pay for radio and TV promotions ’cause I know people there. They genuinely care in the sense that if I wasn’t making music we’d still have been in each other’s lives so that makes it easy for me to navigate. Where people go to spend millions I could only spend a few thousands.

I hardly ever pay for radio and TV promotions ’cause I know people there.
Oba Lurge

People have helped me; but this happened ’cause I built genuine connections with them long before they were in position…Where people go to spend millions I could only spend a few thousands.
Oba Lurge

Rara Avis : What advice would you give to artists looking to build relationships with industry professionals?

Obalurge : Build genuine relationships bro, offer people value, be there for them even when they don’t need you and that’ll help.

Rara Avis : What’s your take on the current state of the music industry, and how can emerging artists position themselves for success?

Oba Lurge : This is a very tough question but I’m very happy for where it is. A lot of people have been able to change their lives with it and the music has transcended boarders. Positioning yourself, you need 3 things: the music, an image and buzz. It’s quite easy to get the first 2 compared to the later because it requires strategy, planning and some money. If you don’t have a sponsor please get a job or learn a skill cos this is the most expensive thing you’ll probably ever venture into.

Positioning yourself, you need 3 things: the music, an image and buzz. It’s quite easy to get the first 2 compared to the later because it requires STRATEGY, planning and some money.
Oba Lurge

If you don’t have a sponsor please get a job or learn a skill cos this is the most expensive thing you’ll probably ever venture into.
Oba Lurge

Rara Avis : What’s next for you, and how do you see your career evolving in the future?

Oba Lurge : I’m currently working on 2 projects for this year; a mixtape and an album. The mixtape is ready but the album is still in the works. It features some of your favorites and the album art for the album will be made by the Legend Lemi Ghariokwu! That’s the most exciting part for me because this man made over 25 album arts for Baba Fela. What are the odds that he’s working on mine if I wasn’t destined for greatness!